Kiln cars

Abstract

A polyhedronal post terminal defining at least one polygonally-shaped cavity passing therethrough. The post terminal also defines at least one hole passing through one of the post terminal's outside wall surfaces, but does not pass through the post terminal outside wall surface which is aligned with and opposes the post terminal outside wall surface having the hole defined therein. The post terminal has at least one ledge portion protruding outwardly from its side wall surface. In one embodiment, the post terminal has a hook portion extending upwardly from its ledge portion. The hook portion is angularly oriented to the ledge portion's upper surface, and is laterally spaced from the terminal's side wall surface such that a channel is defined therebetween. In another embodiment, the post terminal has a claw portion extending downwardly from its ledge portion. The claw portion is angularly oriented to the ledge portion's lower surface, and is laterally spaced from the terminal's side wall surface such that a channel is defined therebetween.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A polyhedronal post terminal defining at least a first polygonally-shaped cavity passing completely therethrough and at least a first hole passing through one of said post terminal's outside wall surfaces and opening into said first polygonally-shaped cavity, said first hole does not pass through the opposing post terminal outside wall surface which is aligned with, and opposes, said post terminal outside wall surface having said first hole passing therethrough, said post terminal comprises: (a) a first face and a second face which are generally aligned with, and parallel to, one another, wherein: (i) the longitudinal axis of said first polygonally-shaped cavity is generally parallel to said first and second faces, and   (ii) said first hole passes through only one of said first or second faces;     (b) a first post terminal side wall surface which is angularly oriented to said first and second post terminal faces, said angular orientation ranges from between about 30° to about 150°;   (c) a first ledge portion protruding outwardly from said first post terminal side wall surface, said first ledge portion having an upper surface which is angularly oriented to said first post terminal side wall surface, and said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°; and   (d) a first hook portion extending upwardly from said first ledge portion, said first hook portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said first ledge portion upper surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said first post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said first post terminal side wall surface, said first ledge portion upper surface, and said first hook portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       2. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein the distance between any inside wall surface defined by said first polygonally-shaped cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surface is such that said post terminal has sufficient strength to withstand a majority of the normal physical and thermal shocks encountered in typical kiln-firing processes. 
     
     
       3. A post terminal as recited in claim 2 wherein said distance between any of said post terminal inside wall surfaces defined by said first cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surfaces is at least about one quarter of an inch. 
     
     
       4. A post terminal as recited in claim 3 wherein said distance between any of said post terminal inside wall surfaces defined by said first cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surface ranges from between about one quarter of an inch and about six inches. 
     
     
       5. A post terminal as recited in claim 4 wherein said distance between any of said post terminal inside wall surfaces defined by said first cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surfaces ranges from between about three eighths of an inch and about five inches. 
     
     
       6. A post terminal as recited in claim 5 wherein said distance between any of said post terminal inside wall surfaces defined by said first cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surfaces ranges between about one-half of an inch and about four inches. 
     
     
       7. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein said first hole is dimensioned to receive an end portion of a corresponding support post. 
     
     
       8. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein said polyhedronal configuration is selected from the group consisting of: triangular, tetragonal, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal and cylindrical. 
     
     
       9. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein said first polygonally-shaped cavity has a configuration selected from the group consisting of: triangular, tetragonal, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal and cylindrical. 
     
     
       10. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of said first ledge portion and the lower surface of said first ledge portion is sufficient to support the weight of articles positioned thereon during typical kiln-firing processes. 
     
     
       11. A post terminal as recited in claim 10 wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said first ledge portion lower surface is at least about one half of an inch. 
     
     
       12. A post terminal as recited in claim 11 wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said first ledge portion lower surface ranges from between about one half of an inch and about six inches. 
     
     
       13. A post terminal as recited in claim 12 wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said first ledge portion lower surface ranges from between about five eighths of an inch and about five inches. 
     
     
       14. A post terminal as recited in claim 13 wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said first ledge portion lower surface ranges from between about three quarters of an inch and about four inches. 
     
     
       15. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein said first post terminal face is the lower surface of said post terminal and said second post terminal face is the upper surface of said post terminal, and wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said post terminal upper surface is such that, when a deck plate or a support beam is positioned onto said first ledge portion upper surface, the upper surface of said deck plate or said support beam corresponds with said post terminal upper surface. 
     
     
       16. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein the horizontal distance between said first hook portion inside wall surface and said first hook portion outside wall surface is at least about one half of an inch. 
     
     
       17. A post terminal as recited in claim 16 wherein said horizontal distance between said first hook portion inside wall surface and said first hook portion outside wall surface ranges from between about one half of an inch and about six inches. 
     
     
       18. A post terminal as recited in claim 17 wherein said horizontal distance between said first hook portion inside wall surface and said first hook portion outside wall surface ranges from between about five eighths of an inch and about five inches. 
     
     
       19. A post terminal as recited in claim 18 wherein said horizontal distance between said first hook portion inside wall surface and said first hook portion outside wall surface ranges from between about three quarters of an inch and about four inches. 
     
     
       20. A post terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said post terminal further comprises: (a) a second post terminal side wall surface which is angularly oriented to said first and second post terminal faces, said angular orientation ranges from between about 30° to about 150°; and   (b) a second ledge portion protruding outwardly from said second post terminal side wall surface.   
     
     
       21. A post terminal as recited in claim 20, wherein said second ledge portion has an upper surface which is angularly oriented to said second post terminal side wall surface, and wherein said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°, said post terminal further comprising: (a) a second hook portion extending upwardly said second ledge portion, said second hook having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said second ledge portion upper surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said second post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said second post terminal side wall surface, said second ledge portion upper surface, and said second hook portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       22. A post terminal as recited in claim 20, wherein said second ledge portion has a lower surface which is angularly oriented to said second post terminal side wall surface, and wherein said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°, said post terminal further comprising: (a) a first claw portion extending downwardly from said second ledge portion, said first claw portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said second ledge portion lower surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said second post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said second post terminal side wall surface, said second ledge portion lower surface, and said first claw portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       23. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 further defining: (a) at least a second polygonally-shaped cavity passing therethrough wherein the longitudinal axis of said second polygonally-shaped cavity is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first polygonally-shaped cavity, and   (b) at least a second hole passing through said second post terminal face, wherein the longitudinal axis of said second hole is: (i) generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first hole, and   (ii) generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said second polygonally-shaped cavity, said second hole does not pass through said opposing first post terminal face.     
     
     
       24. A post terminal as recited in claim 23 further comprising: (a) a second post terminal side wall surface which is angularly oriented to said first and second post terminal faces, said angular orientation ranges from between about 30° to about 150°; and   (b) a second ledge portion protruding outwardly from said second post terminal side wall surface.   
     
     
       25. A post terminal as recited in claim 24, wherein said second ledge portion has a lower surface which is angularly oriented to said second post terminal side wall surface, and wherein said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°, said post terminal further comprising: (a) a first claw portion extending downwardly from said second ledge portion, said first claw portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said second ledge portion lower surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said second post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said second post terminal side wall surface, said second ledge portion lower surface, and said first claw portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       26. A post terminal as recited in claim 24, wherein said second ledge portion has an upper surface which is angularly oriented to said second post terminal side wall surface, and wherein said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°, said post terminal further comprising: (a) a second hook portion extending upwardly from said second ledge portion, said second hook portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said second ledge portion upper surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said second post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said second post terminal side wall surface, said second ledge portion upper surface, and said second hook portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       27. A post terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein said first polygonally-shaped cavity has a configuration selected from the group consisting of: triangular, tetragonal, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal and cylindrical. 
     
     
       28. A polyhedronal post terminal defining at least a first polygonally-shaped cavity passing completely therethrough and at least a first hole passing through one of said post terminals outside wall surfaces and opening into said first polygonally-shaped cavity, said first hole does not pass through the opposing post terminal outside wall surface which is aligned with, and opposes, said post terminal outside wall surface having said first hole passing therethrough, said post terminal comprises: (a) a first face and a second face which are generally aligned with one another, wherein: (i) the longitudinal axis of said first polygonally-shaped cavity is generally parallel to said first and second faces, and   (ii) said first hole passes through only one of said first or second faces;     (b) a first post terminal side wall surface which is angularly oriented to said first and second post terminal faces, said angular orientation ranges from between about 30° to about 150°;   (c) a first ledge portion protruding outwardly from said first post terminal side wall surface, said first ledge portion having an upper surface which is angularly oriented to said first post terminal side wall surface, and said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°; and   (d) a first claw portion extending downwardly from said first ledge portion, said first claw portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said first ledge portion lower surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said first post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said first post terminal side wall surface, said first ledge portion lower surface, and said first claw portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       29. A post terminal as recited in claim 28 wherein the distance between any inside wall surface defined by said first polygonally-shaped cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surface is such that said post terminal has sufficient strength to withstand a majority of the normal physical and thermal shocks encountered in typical kiln-firing processes. 
     
     
       30. A post terminal as recited in claim 29 wherein said distance between any of said post terminal inside wall surfaces defined by said first cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surfaces is at least about one quarter of an inch. 
     
     
       31. A post terminal as recited in claim 30 wherein said distance between any of said post terminal inside wall surfaces defined by said first cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surface ranges from between about one quarter of an inch and about six inches. 
     
     
       32. A post terminal as recited in claim 31 wherein said distance between any of said post terminal inside wall surfaces defined by said first cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surfaces ranges from between about three eighths of an inch and about five inches. 
     
     
       33. A post terminal as recited in claim 32 wherein said distance between any of said post terminal inside wall surfaces defined by said first cavity and any of said post terminal outside wall surfaces ranges between about one-half of an inch and about four inches. 
     
     
       34. A post terminal as recited in claim 28 wherein said first hole is dimensioned to receive an end portion of a corresponding support post. 
     
     
       35. A post terminal as recited in claim 28 wherein said polyhedronal configuration is selected from the group consisting of: triangular, tetragonal, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal and cylindrical. 
     
     
       36. A post terminal as recited in claim 28 wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of said first ledge portion and the lower surface of said first ledge portion is sufficient to support the weight of articles positioned thereon during typical kiln-firing processes. 
     
     
       37. A post terminal as recited in claim 36 wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said first ledge portion lower surface is at least about one half of an inch. 
     
     
       38. A post terminal as recited in claim 37 wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said first ledge portion lower surface ranges from between about one half of an inch and about six inches. 
     
     
       39. A post terminal as recited in claim 38 wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said first ledge portion lower surface ranges from between about five eighths of an inch and about five inches. 
     
     
       40. A post terminal as recited in claim 39 wherein the vertical distance between said first ledge portion upper surface and said first ledge portion lower surface ranges from between about three quarters of an inch and about four inches. 
     
     
       41. A post terminal as recited in claim 28 wherein the horizontal distance between said first claw portion inside wall surface and said first claw portion outside wall surface is at least about one half of an inch. 
     
     
       42. A post terminal as recited in claim 41 wherein said horizontal distance between said first claw portion inside wall surface and said first claw portion outside wall surface ranges from between about one half of an inch and about six inches. 
     
     
       43. A post terminal as recited in claim 42 wherein said horizontal distance between said first claw portion inside wall surface and said first claw portion outside wall surface ranges from between about five eighths of an inch and about five inches. 
     
     
       44. A post terminal as recited in claim 43 wherein said horizontal distance between said first claw portion inside wall surface and said first claw portion outside wall surface ranges from between about three quarters of an inch and about four inches. 
     
     
       45. A post terminal as recited in claim 28 wherein said post terminal further comprises: (a) a second post terminal side wall surface which is angularly oriented to said first and second post terminal faces, said angular orientation ranges from between about 30° to about 150°; and   (b) a second ledge portion protruding outwardly from said second post terminal side wall surface.   
     
     
       46. A post terminal as recited in claim 45 wherein said second ledge portion has a lower surface which is angularly oriented to said second post terminal side wall surface, and wherein said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°, said post terminal further comprising: (a) a second claw portion extending downwardly from said second ledge portion, said second claw portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said second ledge portion lower surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said second post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said second post terminal side wall surface, said second ledge portion lower surface, and said second claw portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       47. A post terminal as recited in claim 45 wherein said second ledge portion has an upper surface which is angularly oriented to said second post terminal side wall surface, and wherein said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°, said post terminal further comprising: (a) a first hook portion extending upwardly from said second ledge portion, said first hook portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said second ledge portion upper surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said second post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said second post terminal side wall surface, said second ledge portion upper surface, and said first hook portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       48. A post terminal as recited in claim 28 further defining: (a) at least a second polygonally-shaped cavity passing therethrough wherein the longitudinal axis of said second polygonally-shaped cavity is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first polygonally-shaped cavity, and   (b) at least a second hole passing through said second post terminal face, wherein the longitudinal axis of said second hole is: (i) generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first hole, and   (ii) generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said second polygonally-shaped cavity, said second hole does not pass through said opposing first post terminal face.     
     
     
       49. A post terminal as recited in claim 48 further comprising: (a) a second post terminal side wall surface which is angularly oriented to said first and second post terminal faces, said angular orientation ranges from between about 30° to about 150°; and   (b) a second ledge portion protruding outwardly from said second post terminal side wall surface.   
     
     
       50. A post terminal as recited in claim 49 wherein said second ledge portion has a lower surface which is angularly oriented to said second post terminal side wall surface, and wherein said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°, said post terminal further comprising: (a) a second claw portion extending downwardly from said second ledge portion, said second claw portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said second ledge portion lower surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said second post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said second post terminal side wall surface, said second ledge portion lower surface, and said second claw portion inside wall surface.     
     
     
       51. A post terminal as recited in claim 49 wherein said second ledge portion has an upper surface which is angularly oriented to said second post terminal side wall surface, and wherein said angular orientation ranges from between about 45° to about 135°, said post terminal further comprising: (a) a first hook portion extending upwardly from said second ledge portion, said first hook portion having an inside wall surface which is: (i) angularly oriented to said second ledge portion upper surface, said angular orientation ranging from between about 45° to about 135°, and   (ii) spaced laterally from said second post terminal side wall surface such that a channel is defined between said second post terminal side wall surface, said second ledge portion upper surface, and said first hook portion inside wall surface.